Examination arrangement

Course content

Supervised research project of 60 ECTS credits within chemistry.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student can:

• Describe up-to-date scientific theories, relevant methods, and techniques within the field of study of the Master's thesis.
• Analyze research questions on the basis of knowledge within international research in the field of study of the Master's thesis.

Skills

After completing the course, the student can:

• Carry out an independent research project with supervision following present-day norms for research ethics.
• Systematically acquire knowledge via, for instance, literature searches.
• Gather and analyze samples/data, carry out statistical analysis, and interpret and present research results in accordance with the terminology in the field of study.
• Assess their research activity and results, and evaluate the quality and importance of this in connection with the current state-of-the-art within the field of study and their profession.
• Write an extensive scientific report.

General knowledge

After completing the course, the student can:

• Disseminate scientific research questions and results in written form and orally.
• Carry out and solve advanced tasks and projects, both independently and in collaboration with their supervisor(s) and assess their own contribution to projects.
• Continuously develop their scientific competence.
• Contribute to new thought and innovation processes within chemistry.

Learning methods and activities

Independent research work under supervision. For general information about writing your thesis, please see the NTNU web pages about Academic writing. See also the description in Masters thesis in natural sciences and informatics, and note that you:

• must find a project and supervisor(s) at the Department for your master's thesis,
• must submit a signed master's contract (between you, the supervisor(s), and the Department) to the study advisor at the Department.

Before beginning with the master project work, the student must complete the compulsory HSE training at the Department and the Faculty.

The standard contact period with the supervisor(s) is 50 hours. Any contact between the supervisor(s) and student beyond this, depends on the supervisor(s) choice of supervision methodology. The workload for the thesis corresponds to 1600-1800 hours.

Further on evaluation

The evaluation is based on the written Master's thesis and the oral exam. The grade is given in accordance with the national regulation for the assessment and description of grades for Master's theses in MST subjects.

The master's thesis is to be submitted in NTNU's examination system (Inspera Assessment). Information about the submission process can be found at Submitting bachelor and master thesis - for students.

The deadline for submitting the master's thesis is regulated by the study program, please see Masters thesis in natural sciences and informatics. You must apply for an extension of the deadline if you are delayed in your work and unable to meet the deadline.

The oral examination must take place within 1 month after the master's thesis has been submitted. The oral examination is used to evaluate to what degree the candidate masters the theory and work described in the written thesis. The oral examination consists of:

• A public lecture by the candidate about their thesis. This lecture is expected to last 20-30 minutes and should be given at a level accessible to fellow master students in chemistry.
• An oral examination of the thesis. This examination is expected to last 30-60 minutes.

The final grade is based on the written thesis and the oral examination as described in the assessment guideline. If you fail your master’s thesis you can submit a new or revised thesis once. It is not possible to improve an awarded passing grade by submitting a new thesis. However, you are allowed to appeal the awarded grade.

The deadline for the assessment of the master's thesis is 3 months.